Stone Panels, Inc. Testing Methods: Acid Freeze Thaw

The StoneLite® panel system and its installing components have been thoroughly tested by leading global independent testing laboratories. They are accepted by code officials in North America for unrestricted use as exterior cladding for Type 1 buildings.

The company has summaries of its test results on the corporate website and copies of the original test reports are available upon request.

The testing method highlighted in this blog is the Acid Freeze Thaw test. These tests measure flexural strength in accordance with ASTM C880 and tensile bond strength per ASTM D897.

In order to measure strength, durability and performance characteristics, flexural strength tests were conducted on both new and 19- year old StoneLite® panels. The materials were exposed to a cyclic temperature from -10 F to +170 F for 100 cycles while partially submerged in a 4-pH sulfuric acid solution to simulate acid rain.

After 100 cycles of exposure, StoneLite® granite lost 2.7% of ultimate load flexural strength, limestone lost 6.3%, new travertine lost 4.7%, and old travertine lost 3.7%. The strength of new travertine and 19-year of travertine was similar in the longitudinal orientation.

During another testing session, White Carrara marble, Indiana limestone, Roman Classic travertine and Black Impala granite StoneLite® panels were subjected to an accelerated aging procedure of temperature cycling 100 times from +170 F to -10 F. Then the stone face, bond line and honeycomb were submerged in a 4-pH sulfuric acid solution. Next, the exposed materials and corresponding control samples were subjected to one-quarter-point flexure loading. No bond failure was detected despite the shear stress between the stone and the honeycomb.

The StoneLite® panel flexure strength loss averaged only 13%, as compared with a loss of flexural strength in solid dimensional stones of 25% to 70% of their original strength.

To see more of our acid freeze thaw test results, visit the Testing section on our website.

You can also watch a video of our full scale arena blast at our blast test page.

Product Testing

Stone Panels, can now offer solutions to protect against various levels of blast requirements.

Our Work - Gallery

See images of some of our past stone panel projects for residential and commercial customers.